Chapter 3: Democracy and Diversity

1. Discuss three factors that determine the outcomes of politics of social divisions.

Answer:
Three factors which determine the outcomes of politics of social divisions:
 The people’s perception of their identities: When this is singular, the
accommodation of other identities becomes difficult.
 Representation of a community by political leaders: While representing a
community, if politicians raise demands that are constitutional, then it is easier to
accommodate those demands.
 The government’s reaction: If the reasonable demands of a community are
suppressed by the government, then it leads to social divisions, which in turn
threaten the integrity of the country.

2. When does a social difference become a social division?

Answer:
A social difference becomes a social division when it overlaps with some other
social difference. For example, the Whites were rich and powerful and the blacks were poor
and homeless and discriminated against. When one kind of social difference becomes
more important than the other, then it leads to division.

3. How do social divisions affect politics? Give two examples.

Answer:
In politics, there is competition between political parties. If these political parties use this
competition in support of some social divisions, it can lead to political divisions. This can
lead to conflict, violence or even disintegration of a country.

 One example is of Northern Ireland where religious divisions led to ethno-

political conflict. Two major sects of Christianity: 53% Protestants and 44% Catholics
dominate the country. The Catholics wanted Northern Ireland to join the Republic of
Ireland and the Protestants wanted to remain with UK. This led to years of violence
where thousands were killed. Only in 1998, peace returned when the UK
government and the Nationalists reached a peace treaty and stopped all violence.
 The second example is of Yugoslavia where the political parties refused to
accommodate each other. Each ethno-religious group wanted to dominate the
other. Result – disintegration of Yugoslavia into seven independent countries.

4. social differences create possibilities of deep social divisions and

tensions. social differences do not usually lead to conflicts.

Answer

Overlapping social differences create possibilities of deep social divisions and tensions.

Cross cutting social differences do not usually lead to conflicts.

5. In dealing with social divisions which one of the following statements is NOT
correct about democracy?
(a) Due to political competition in a democracy, social divisions get reflected in politics.
(b) In a democracy it is possible for communities to voice their grievances in a peaceful
manner.
(c) Democracy is the best way to accommodate social diversity.
(d) Democracy always leads to disintegration of society on the basis of social divisions.

Answer

(d) Democracy always leads to disintegration of society on the basis of social divisions.

6. Consider the following three statements.

A. Social divisions take place when social differences overlap.
B. It is possible that a person can have multiple identities.
C. Social divisions exist in only big countries like India.
Which of the statements is/are correct?
(a) A, B and C
(b) A and B
(c) B and C
(d) Only C

Answer

(b) A and B

7. Arrange the following statements in a logical sequence and select the right answers by
using the code given below.
A. But all political expression of social divisions need not be always dangerous.
B. Social divisions of one kind or the other exist in most countries.
C. Parties try to win political support by appealing to social divisions.
D. Some social differences may result in social divisions.
(a) D, B, C, A
(b) D, B, A, C
(c) D, A, C, B
(d) A, B, C, D

Answer

(a) D, B, C, A
8. Among the following, which country suffered disintegration due to political fights on the
basis of religious and ethnic identities?
(a) Belgium
(b) India
(c) Yugoslavia
(d) Netherlands

Answer: (c) Yugoslavia

9. Read the following passage from a famous speech by Martin Luther king Jr. in 1963.
Which social division is he talking about? What are his aspirations and anxieties? Do you see
a relationship between this speech and the incident in Mexico Olympics mentioned in this
chapter?
“I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not
be judged by the colour of their skin but by the content of their character. Let freedom ring –
when we let it ring from every village and every hamlet, from every state and every city, we
will be able to speed up that day when all of God’s children – back men and white men, Jews
and Gentiles, Protestants and Catholics – will be able to join hands and sing in the words of
the old Negro spiritual: ‘Free at last! Free at last! Thank God Almighty, we are free at last!’ I
have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed:
‘we hold these truths to be self-evident: that all men are created equal’.”

Answer

There is mention of racial discrimination in the speech of Martine Luther King Jr in USA. He
is referring to the segregation policies adopted by the Whites towards the Coloured people.
He aspires for a country where there will be security for all; where racial abuse will not
occur; and where everyone will be treated as equal irrespective of the colour of their skin.
This speech and the incident at the Mexico Olympics are both part of a movement that
wanted to highlight the plight of the African-American people.